Only Playoffs Matter

Sunday

Dec 30, 2012 at 2:08 AM

No team will have as big a question mark entering the playoffs as the Atlanta Falcons.

By RICK BROWNTHE LEDGER

No team will have as big a question mark entering the playoffs as the Atlanta Falcons.The Falcons, who have been among the most consistent teams in the regular season the past few years, know none of that matters if they crash and burn again in the playoffs.Future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez realizes that until the Falcons win in the playoffs, they won't get the respect they deserve."I don't know whether it's fair or not," Gonzalez said. "It is what it is. It's human nature. That's what people, reporters, media, the public believe: What matters is winning in the playoffs. So I understand that. I get it. Part of me says, ‘Yeah, you're right.' It's up to us to go out there and make sure what happened before doesn't happen again."The noise that is going on out there, we can't listen to that," he said. "We have to stay focused. And we're a different team. It's a new year, as far as I'm concerned. Our success or measurement ... it wouldn't mean getting to the playoffs. It means going to the playoffs and having success and getting to the big game. We can't listen to anything. We have to make it happen this year and people will change their minds. We have to go out and win."That hasn't happened in a long time. The past three times Atlanta has reached the playoffs resulted in first-game exits.Gonzalez expects this year to be different."If you look at it from a talent standpoint, we're a better team," Gonzalez said. "It's pretty much the same offense that's been around here for a while except guys are coming into their own. (Quarterback) Matt Ryan is playing the best football I've seen him play. He's having his best (season) by far, making good decisions and that helps your offense do better. (Receiver) Julio Jones in his second year, he's become a better football player. You look at defense, guys are hitting that year three, four, five, which is when you start to become the football player you're capable of being. (Safety) Thomas DeCoud, (safety) William Moore, (linebacker Sean) Weatherspoon in the middle. On offense, (left tackle) Sam Baker. All these guys are starting to peak as players and making our football team better."Will it be enough? Can they overcome previous disappointments and go deep into the playoffs?Time will tell.

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